Detroit police officer who works with troubled teens arrested for criminal sexual conduct

Mar. 28, 2013

Written by

Detroit Free Press Staff Writer

A Detroit police officer who runs a program for troubled teens has been arrested on felony criminal sexual conduct charges involving a victim age 13 to 15.

Geoffrey Townsend, 45, was arrested Tuesday on 3rd degree criminal sexual conduct charges and booked into the Oakland County Jail, where he remains in lieu of $25,000 bond.

Townsend is the founder and CEO of Reality Check Detroit, described on the nonprofit organization’s website as a crime prevention program designed to assist at-risk youths 6 to 14 years old. The approach includes a “physical reinstruction program” in which participating youths enroll in a 12-week process that involves “military based, high impact exercises … to allow the child to recognize consequences for negative behavior,” according to the website. Daily progress reports monitor children’s “progression or regression,” and random school visits are included within the program.

Interim Detroit Police Chief Chester Logan issued a statement Wednesday regarding Townsend’s arrest: “We are committed to ensuring that the members of the Detroit Police Department conduct themselves in a manner that is worthy of the public's trust. To that end all allegations of police misconduct that occur within our jurisdiction will be thoroughly and impartially investigated and my department will assist and cooperate with all outside jurisdictions.”

Information on Townsend’s future appearances in 47th District Court was not available late Wednesday.